Pilot and Passenger Recovering After Plane Collides with Truck at Airport Manatee
Authorities continue to investigate a small plane crash that occurred at Airport Manatee. An Aeronca Champion collided with a parked truck after being blown off course by a sudden wind gust.
According to officials, the aircraft, registered to an individual in Palmetto, veered to the left shortly after takeoff, clipping a powerline before crashing into an unoccupied truck nearby. The impact left 70-year-old pilot John Sikirica and 86-year-old passenger Allen Maxwell injured, but their conditions have been described as non-life-threatening.
Emergency responders, including North River Fire Rescue personnel, arrived at the scene to assist. Maxwell freed himself from the wreckage, while Sikirica required assistance before being transported to a hospital. Both men received medical attention before being airlifted to area hospitals for further evaluation.
No injuries were reported on the ground, and Florida Power and Light quickly restored service after one customer briefly lost power due to the damaged powerline.
The Federal Aviation Administration has taken over the investigation to determine the full cause of the crash. Authorities have not released further details on potential contributing factors beyond the reported wind conditions.
